Slovak University of Agriculture visited by Indonesian delegation

26.09.2017 07:59 by Mgr. Eva Trabalikova

This meeting was also attended by vice-rectors of the University, deans, representatives of the faculties, Director of the AgroBioTech Research Centre doc. Ing. Tatiana Bojňanská, CSc. and Head of the International Relations and Projects Office Mgr. Vladislav Valach.

According to SUA Rector prof. Peter Bielik, SUA carried out a project for the promotion of education and research on international level focused on cultivation of resistant wheat species in tropical agricultural conditions. Cooperation between SUA in Nitra, OSIVO Zvolen and the Indonesian University of Andalus, resulting from the Memorandum signed in the presence of the President of the Slovak Republic I. Gašparovič on 11th October 2011 in Indonesia by the representiatives of these institutions, has taken its form in April 2012 when five Indonesian students began an intensive three-month study stay at SUA in Nitra. This also included professional training realized in cooperation with OSIVO, a.s., Zvolen and Istropol Solary breeding station. These young professionals currently run a grain program in Indonesia for the benefit of the development of Indonesian agriculture. This collaboration was also an opportunity for Slovak students to visit Indonesia through various programs and study at local universities. These students currently contribute to Slovak labour market thanks to their expertise and language skills.

Members of the Indonesian delegation and SUA administrators have discussed the achievements gained during the course of over more than five years of cooperation under the Intergovernmental Agreement and assessed the extent of cooperation in present. The perspectives for further cooperation were discussed as well.

Both parties have expressed interest in further intensive cooperation. As Ambassador Adiyatwidi Adiwoso said, the Indonesian side is keen to continue the program for the cultivation of resistant wheat species in tropical agricultural conditions, as well as to strengthen cooperation and to involve several Indonesian universities, given that Indonesia is the fourth largest country in the world and has 250 million people to provide with food .

"Food security is one of the priorities of our government," the Ambassador said. In conclusion she added that Indonesia has a large area of agricultural land and so cooperation in the development and implementation of new technologies and agricultural machinery would also be promising.

At the end of the visit, Indonesian guests have visited selected laboratories of the AgroBioTech Research Center.